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Nov 30, 2009 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Three years ago, Under the Radar reviewed a Christmas album by hair metal goofs Twisted Sister, and with all due respect to Bob Dylan, who is perhaps the best songwriter of all time, Christmas In The Heart is a similar curiosity. Aside from the obvious point that it is strange hearing Dylan, née Robert Zimmerman, singing Christmas songs, it is often just awkward to listen to the elder’s scraggly croak making its way through commonly known carols such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Silver Bells,” and “The First Noel.” “Do You Hear What I Hear” is a particularly throat-scratching example of the cognitive dissonance one experiences by hearing Dylan sing these songs. The arrangements are faithful to the tunes you remember, and sometimes the classic feel is nice. For example, the jazzy textures of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” evoke those gems grandma used to play on the old phonograph. The accordion-led silliness of “Must Be Santa” and the tropical swing of “Christmas Island” add cute, different touches. But Dylan sounds like he’s on his deathbed, reaching for the high notes in “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” is just bizarre coming from Dylan. Christmas In The Heart is quite an oddity, and it’s probably only for Dylan completists. It does, however, beg the question of who will throw his or her hat in the Christmas CD ring next. Given the gravely voiced nature of this particular collection, all I can say is: Tom Waits, you’re up. (www.bobdylan.com)

Author rating: 3/10